Clarke to Spray for Mosquitoes Next Week

Have you been bitten by the summer big – Mosquito bug that is?

If you have, you’re not alone. Mosquitos have been making their presence known throughout the summer, in large part due to the heavy rains over the past month. But now the village of Downers Grove is taking action. Village leaders contracted with Clarke Mosquito Control to spray for adult mosquitoes on Aug. 9. The spraying will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. and all streets within incorporated Downers Grove will be complete by early dawn. Should weather interfere with operations, spraying will occur on Aug. 10.

In addition to spraying, village workers have been applying larvicides to catch basins and storm sewers to inhibit mosquito larvae from developing.

Most of the mosquitoes found this year are the mostly annoying floodwater mosquito. However, county officials discovered mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus in early July. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in DuPage County in 2011.

Only about two people in 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Individuals over the age of 50 have the highest risk of severe disease.

Because of the high number of mosquitoes this year, spraying is the best option, village officials said in a press release. However, this treatment will not mean an end to the pesky biters in Downers Grove. Stan Balicki, assistant public works director, told Patch last month that mosquitoes can travel up to 15 miles from where they hatched.

Clarke recommends that residents keep the doors and windows of their homes closed during the time of spraying. 

• To avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, residents can take the following precautions:
  Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are the most active.
• When outside between dusk and dawn, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing that includes long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks and shoes.
• Apply insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing.
• Make sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens.
• Remove containers that may hold water to eliminate standing water which serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, i.e., discarded tires, cans, ceramic pots.
• Change water in bird baths at least once per week, and drain and replace water in children's backyard wading pools every four to five days.
• Make sure that rain gutters, downspouts, swimming pools and pool covers are free of standing water.
• Keeping grass and weeds cut short to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.